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There was Christmas cheer for some of our high street stores and festive woe for others as Yuletide shopping habits revealed people spending more on groceries and booze and less in the old fashioned fashion outlets and department stores.

Shoppers were pernickety when it came to splashing the cash, constrained by tight wage growth and mounting inflation on essentials, but online growth continued and actually saved some retailers from a Christmas to forget.

So, who were the winners and losers on Plymouth’s high street?

Here’s how some of the biggest names fared in the city and across the rest of Devon and Cornwall.

The winners

Aldi

Aldi in Topsham

Aldi rang up sales of almost £1billion in the UK during December 2018 as the discount supermarket experienced its best Christmas trading period – EVER!

The company said sales were driven by customers switching from other food retailers amid higher demand for its premium ranges.

The influx of customers meant the week of December 17 was Aldi's busiest-ever in the UK, with sales more than 10% higher than the previous year.

The group - famous for its bright wellies and outdoor clobber - saw comparable retail sales rise 11.7% over the seven weeks to January 6, 2019.

It said online trade accounted for almost half of total retail sales thanks to purchases through its website and concession partners.

Joules has a large store in Drake Circus Shopping Centre, Plymouth.

John Lewis

John Lewis in Exeter (Image: Devon Live)

The department store had a strong finish to a rollercoaster Christmas with a bumper sales fortnight as consumers made a late dash to the shops.

The company said sales were up 4.5% in the week to December 29, 2018, compared with the same period last year. Sales also rose 4.2% in the preceding week.

John Lewis said fashion sales surged by nearly 11% last week, while women’s handbags and other accessories were also popular, with trade up more than 20%.

Its cosmetics halls also had a late flurry, with makeup and perfume helping push sales of beauty and leisure products up 25%. Sales in the retailer’s technology departments were up 3.1%.

Overall, sales in the seven-week Christmas period were 1.4% higher than for the same period last year.

But Christmas aside, the firm warned staff they may not get their annual bonus after a generally torrid year.

Chris Janes, investment manager at Brewin Dolphin, said: “It’s difficult to be ‘never knowingly undersold’ in the highly competitive UK retail sector, but John Lewis appears to have stood firm on that pledge.

“The group also managed to deliver a slight uptick in sales at Waitrose & Partners despite reduced promotional activity. In a mixed period for retailers, John Lewis’s performance will be seen as some good news and underlines the importance of a differentiated and well-invested proposition at a tough time for many on the high street.”

John Lewis is in Exeter.

Christmas adverts 2018

The supermarket firm said trading over the Christmas period had been "strong". The company, which is the UK's biggest supermarket chain, said its like-for-like sales over Christmas were up 2.2% in the six weeks to January 5, 2019. it made it Tesco’s best festive performance in nearly a decade.

Morrisons

Morrisons in Plymstock has been undergoing an extensive refit over the last six months

Morrisons saw an increase in Christmas sales thanks to stronger growth in its wholesale arm, despite a slowdown in retail shopping.

Like-for-like sales in the nine weeks to January 6, 2019, were 3.6% higher.

This comprised a 0.6% contribution from retail, marking a slowdown on the 2.1% growth seen in the same period last year.

But this was offset by a 3% hike from the wholesale division, which includes tie-ups with McColl's and Amazon. Last year this was 0.7%.

The number of items per basket rose by 0.8%, versus a 4.4% drop in the comparable period last year. But the number of transactions fell by 0.9%, reversing the upward trend of last year which saw a 2.3% rise.

Morrisons said a decision to freeze the price of 100 key festive goods, such as mince pies, had worked.

Greggs

Greggs has arrived in Cornwall

Mince pies and festive bakes helped the bakery chain’s sales rise, along with its pastry, by 5.2%.

Trading was so good the chain upgraded its 2018 profit forecast – for the second time in two months.

And that’s all before it sold out of vegan sausage rolls.

John Moore, senior investment manager at Brewin Dolphin, said: “Last year was volatile for Greggs – it issued a profit warning after the ‘Beast from the East’ and there were a range of other challenges for the business.

“But this latest set of figures underlines why the company is as popular with investors as it is with shoppers: total sales for the financial year were up 7.2% and profits are expected to be ahead of previous guidance.

“There is real momentum behind Greggs – the share price is up more than 40% since summer 2018.

“The company has the ability to change and innovate, and the launch of its vegan sausage rolls, regardless of what Piers Morgan might think of them, is the latest example of that.

“The hype surrounding this new product launch shows the reach of the brand and, if this translates into continued sales momentum, then it could be another good first quarter for Greggs in 2019 – despite a myriad of economic uncertainties.”

Overall, supermarkets rang up another record Christmas, new data has shown, despite a slowdown in sector growth.

Shoppers spent a record £29.3 billion on groceries in the 12 weeks to December 30, which was £450 million more than this time last year.

But growth was slower as a lower level of inflation took its toll. The sector grew at 1.6%, its slowest rate since March 2017.

Co-op

Wilton Street Co-operative (Image: Google Street View)

Co-op was the only retailer to beat its 2017 growth rate. It also increased its market share for the seventh period in a row, a trend which is set to continue as it plans 100 store openings during 2019.

Slug and Lettuce

Make delicious cocktails at Slug and Lettuce while you order your food

Slug & Lettuce owner Stonegate toasted buoyant festive sales after being boosted by Christmas and New Year drinkers.

The group, which also owns cocktail bar Be At One, booked like-for-like sales growth of 7.8% in the month to January 1, 2019.

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve saw Stonegate's sales rise on average 8.3%, and in the two weeks from December 17 they were up 12%.

It also performed well on Boxing Day as punters sank pints while watching the footy.

Hobbycraft credited the rise to a series of workshops across its near 100 outlets, which saw 21,000 shoppers attend to work on projects such as fillable baubles and personalised advent calendars.

Figures showed an 119% increase in sales of "Christmas Eve Boxes" during the week they were demonstrated in stores. There is a store in Plymouth's Exeter Street.

Games Workshop

Warhammer on Cornwall Street, Plymouth (Image: Joe Hocking)

Games Workshop hit another record level of profit and sales in the first half, despite a slowdown in growth.

The Warhammer maker said sales were up 14% in the six months to December 2, 2018, at £125.2million, boosted by improved performance in retail and trade divisions. Pre-tax profits were 7% higher at £40.8 million.

The growth rate was slower than the same time last year, when half-year sales grew by more than 50% and profits more than doubled.

The firm said trading in the Christmas period was in line with the first half. Another firm with a store in Plymouth.

Dunelm

The Dunelm outlet at Plymouth's Friary Retail Park (Image: Google)

Like-for-like sales at homeware retailer Dunelm were 9% higher in the 13 weeks to December 29, 2018.

The company said total growth at group level was 2%, reflecting the closure of the underperforming Worldstores and Kiddicare websites. Comparable sales in store were up 5.7% compared to 2017.

There is a large outlet in Plymouth's Exeter Street.

Greene King

Pub group Greene King saw "strong" festive trading, with like-for-like sales in its managed pubs leaping 10.9% in the two weeks to January 6, 2019.

The chain notched up record Christmas Day sales of £7.7million and said it saw all sales categories achieve like-for-like sales growth over the key six-week period.

Greene King said for the 36 weeks of its financial year so far, comparable sales for its pubs rose 3.2%.

But its franchise-run pub partners saw like-for-like net profits fall around 1%, while total beer sales by volume in brewing and brands were up 1.8% and own-brewed sales volumes were down 2.3%.

It has pubs in Exeter and Exmouth.

Shoe Zone

A typical Shoe Zone store

Shares in Shoe Zone rose after the footwear retailer dished out £4 million to shareholders as a result of bumper annual profits.

The payout, in the form of a special dividend, came as the high street chain booked an 18% increase in pre-tax profit to £11.3million in the year to September 29, 2018.

Revenue rose 1.8% year-on-year to £160.6million, with online sales jumping 19.9% to £9.8million. There is a large store in Plymouth's west end.

Fashion in the news

Matalan posted an increase in Christmas sales as it benefited from discounting and a surge in online spending.

In the five weeks to December 29, 2018, the budget retailer saw a total revenue increase of 4% to £148million, with stores sales rising 1.6% and online 33.3%.

However, full price sales fell 0.5% as it embarked on a promotional blitz. Stores are in Plymouth, Newton Abbott, Truro and Exeter.

Waterstones

Waterstone's in Drake Circus Shopping Centre (Image: Joe Hocking)

Booksellers predicted a bumper end to 2018 as the week before Christmas was strong sales, with Waterstones expecting to do well once it totalled up sales.

The chain has innovated with Children’s book sections on average twice the size they were in 2011, while the addition of cafés in larger stores has increased their appeal to older customers. Both Plymouth and Exeter have two branches of Waterstones, and there is one in Truro too.

Score draws

Next

A travel agents is opening inside Next (Image: Joe Hocking)

Next reported a sharp hike in online sales over Christmas, though trading at its stores declined.

The retailer said strong sales during the three weeks prior to Christmas and the October half-term holiday made up for a "disappointing" November.

Online sales rose 15.2% between October 28, 2018, and December 29 from a year earlier, while store sales fell 9.2%. In total, full-price sales at the retailer were up 1.5% over the period.

The retailer expects an annual profit of £723million, slightly lower than its previous forecast of £727million. It blamed the lower forecast on strong sales of less profitable items such as beauty products and personalised gifts.

There are eight branches in Devon and Cornwall including in Plymouth and Exeter.

Footasylum

Footasylum in Drake Circus Shopping Centre (Image: Joe Hocking)

Sports fashion retailer Footasylum has warned over pressure on full-year earnings after it slashed prices amid heavy discounting on the high street.

The 70-strong chain said it now expects full-year underlying earnings to be towards the lower end of forecasts after profit margins were hit by steep discounting over the festive season.

It cautioned that Brexit uncertainty and weakening consumer sentiment were causing "some of the most difficult trading conditions seen in recent years".

The retailer is now cutting costs across the business to offset the knock to profit margins.

But it saw discounting efforts help keep revenues on track for the full year, with the group reporting a 14% rise in total sales over the 18 weeks to December 29, 2018, with online up 28% and stores up 5%.

Footasylum has a store in Drake Circus Shopping Centre, Plymouth.

Footasylum - footwear cops to hottest drops

It claims to have its “finger on the pulse of streetwear fashion” with the latest “footwear cops” and “hottest drops” and that’s probably because Footasylum has the youngest boss of a UK listed company.

The fashion chain – which stocks “crucial” sportswear giants Nike and Adidas alongside “future heavyweights” such as Gym King – is run by 31-year-old Clare Nesbitt (pictured).

She is the daughter of David Makin, who founded the company in 2005 with colleague John Wardle.

Prone to using street talk on its website it boasts it sells your “favourite kicks”, from “high performance” sneakers to the “hottest” streetwear, promising “we’ve got you”.

“We’ve got our finger firmly on the pulse of the street and sports fashion scene,” its website said.

“The brands you rep are crucial when it comes to owning the streets.

“Footasylum are always ahead of the game, selling everything from the biggest names in sports style to up and coming brands making their mark in the world of streetwear.

“Whether you’re looking for the latest footwear cops from Nike and Adidas Originals, or want to get your apparel on point with the hottest drops from The North Face, Carhartt and Sik Silk, we’ve got you covered.”

Revolution Bars

The Revolution bar at Derry's Cross

Revolution Bars booked its sixth consecutive year of festive growth, posting a 2.6% rise in like-for-like sales in the four weeks to Christmas Eve.

However, like-for-like sales for the 26 weeks ending December 29, 2018, was down 4%, with the first quarter declining 5.0% and an improved second quarter at minus 3.1%. Total revenue for the first half was up 6.4% to £78.5 million.

Revolution Bars has said that full-year profit will take a knock from "economic and political uncertainties".

It expects half-year earnings to come in around £2million lower than in 2018 and annual earnings of £12million, down from £15 million the previous year.

However, December proved more fruitful, with Revolution recording its sixth consecutive year of festive growth, posting a 2.6% rise in like-for-like sales in the four weeks to Christmas Eve.

Retail woes

The losers

Debenhams reported a sharp fall in sales during the crucial Christmas trading period and said customers had been seeking discounts and left their shopping late.

It said sales fell 5.7% in the 18 weeks to January 5, 2019, and reported like-for-like sales in the 18 weeks to January 5, 2019, fell 5.7%.

In the shorter trading period, the six weeks to January 5, 2019, like-for-like sales were down 3.4%.

Chris Janes, Investment Manager at Brewin Dolphin, said: “The update from Debenhams will come as no surprise to anyone – the business is really struggling.

“While Debenhams says it will deliver on profit guidance against a volatile market backdrop, high street sales are in almost terminal decline and footfall was weak over the crucial Christmas period.

“The group is approaching a crunch point in the next 12 months: it has indicated discussions over refinancing have commenced with lenders, but stories are already circling that they will demand a restructuring of the business. It is, nevertheless. clear that significant change and investment is required if Debenhams is to secure its future.”

Debenhams in the news

Marks and Spencer reported a fall in sales over Christmas, down 2.2% in the 13 weeks to December 29, 2018.

Food sales fell 2.1% and its clothing and home sales division slid 2.4%.

Chris Janes, Investment Manager at Brewin Dolphin, said:“The latest trading update from Marks and Spencer confirmed that trading is very difficult for the company.

“Even the food business – where there had been strong like-for-like sales growth since 2011 – saw a sales decline of 2.1% compared to last year. However, it will come as little surprise that the clothing and home side was also disappointing and, despite a bigger push online, it continues to lose share in the highly competitive UK apparel market.

“As is the case for many UK retailers, the depreciation of sterling has led to higher costs and, although this will be partly offset by better buying and lower markdowns, earnings per share are likely to remain under pressure.”

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's was the weakest of the supermarket pack with a 0.4% decline in Christmas sales.

Nicla Di Palma, Equity Analyst, Brewin Dolphin said: “Trading was tough for Sainsbury’s, especially in the increasingly important general merchandise division, following the acquisition of Argos, although we still like the transaction as it helped Sainsbury’s to utilise some excess capacity and provides some diversification.

“Overall trading for food and non-food retailers in the key Christmas period was better than expected, as the UK consumer, despite downbeat confidence, spent on both food and clothing.”

Mothercare

The new Mothercare and Early Learning Centre unit at Gateway Retail Park, Plymouth (Image: Penny Cross)

Mothercare's UK sales dropped in the third quarter as the beleaguered retailer cut back on promotions amid its dramatic transformation plan.

In the 13 weeks to January 5, 2019, UK like-for-like sales dropped 11.4%.

Mothercare said this reflected a mix of consumer caution and less discounting compared to the previous year which was boosted by aggressive promotional activity.

The amount of stock in the end of season sale was reduced by 23% compared to the prior year.

Drake Circus mall stories

Fashion retailer Quiz warned its profit and revenue will be lower after Christmas trading failed to meet expectations.

The company, which has 71 stores and 169 concessions in the UK as well as a sizeable online business, said underlying earnings would be about £8.2million for the full year.

Revenue is also set to fall short of market expectations, coming in at around £133million.

In an update for the six weeks to January 5, 2019, Quiz said revenue was up 8.4% on the same time last year. This marked a slowdown on last year's 31.9% growth, despite higher than expected discounting.

The group said the retail trading environment had been particularly challenging in November.

As a result of slashing prices to shift stock, the group's profit margin is expected to reduce to 60.5% in the six months to March 31, 2019, compared to 62% in the first half.

Chris Janes, Investment Manager at Brewin Dolphin, said: “While QUIZ’s sales grew year-on-year, there are some red flags in this latest set of results. Anticipated revenues have been revised down, while investment in marketing and personnel, as well as discounting, has eaten into margins.

“It is undoubtedly a tough trading environment for retailers, as we’ve seen with some other company’s results this week. But, the City’s main concerns about QUIZ were over its ability to generate enough cash to be self-sufficient and handle shocks from the wider sector, and today’s results will do little to allay them.”

There are stores in Exeter and Newton Abbott and in Plymouth's Drake Circus mall.

New Look warned over profits and announced plans for a debt-for-equity swap as part of a painful restructuring aimed at putting the struggling fashion retailer on a securer financial footing.

New Look pointed to "increased headwinds" in late November that pushed its UK like-for-like sales to decline 5.7% in December, resulting in comparable sales growth of just 0.9% in the third quarter as a whole.

The decline in total UK sales was further hit by the loss of stores under a closure programme.

As a result, earnings for the full year are now projected to be £84 million from the core UK business, while the non-core unit is set to book a £27 million loss, below initial forecasts.

Last year, New Look said it could close as many as 100 UK stores as part of a radical turnaround plan to cut costs and improve profitability.

This includes the 60 stores marked for closure under a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) approved in March. Plymouth's Drake Circus store is one of 10 in Devon and Cornwall, including Truro and Exeter.

Superdry

Superdry store in Drake Circus Shopping Centre (Image: Joe Hocking)

The firm issued a second profit warning just before Christmas 2018 after poor sales. It saw sales dip 2.3% over the festive period. There is a large Superdry store in Plymouth's Drake Circus Shopping Centre, one in Exeter and three in Cornwall.

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The firm went into administration after a whopping 30% fall in demand for DVDs at Christmas, as viewing habits saw a switch to streaming services.

In December the music and movies store was forced to call in the administrators for the second time in just six years putting 2,200 jobs at risk and the future of key stores in Plymouth, Exeter and Truro in jeopardy.

Retail woes: the stores affected by the shopping crisis

The UK's retail sector is quaking as inflation and taxes mount and consumer spending slips. Plymouth is not immune. These are the firms that have caught a cold, or are beyond life support, so far in 2018:

Toys R Us - The advertising jingle sang of toys in their millions, all under one roof, but the huge outlet in Western Approach is now empty as the toy store chain became the first big casualty of the UK's retail meltdown. All Toys R Us stores nationwide are now closed or closing.

Bargain Booze - The off-licence chain Bargain Booze went into administration in April 2018 following a warning that earnings would be £5.2million less than expected. The chain, which has five outlets in Plymouth and another in Saltash, warned earnings for this financial year would be “below current market expectations”. But administrators were able offload the retail division to food wholesaler Bestway in a £7million deal.

Debenhams - Beleaguered Debenhams could shut floors in its Plymouth department store as it looks at solutions to the retail meltdown which has seen its pre-tax profits slump by 84 per cent and insurers cut back on suppliers' credit cover. The chain is understood to be looking to downsize at least 30 stores blaming “profound change” in shopping habits for woes.

House of Fraser - Troubled department store chain House of Fraser announced it will shut storeswhen a Company Voluntary Agreement was accepted by creditors on June 22, 2018. It initially said just 18 outlets would still be trading, but it has since "saved" three stores, after being taken over by Sport Direct honcho Mike Ashley, including Plymouth's. The company made a £43.9million loss in 2017 – blaming Brexit, terrorist attacks and increased online competition. Sales fell from £840.9million to £787.8million in 2017 – a drop of 6.3 per cent.

New Look - The budget retailer has had to weighs up “options” amid dismal sales figures and in April 2018 announced it could close 100 stores putting 1,500 jobs at risk.

Marks & Spencer - Retail bellwether Marks & Spencer, which has a huge store in Plymouth city centre, is closing 100 of its biggest stores, about a third of all those selling clothes and homeware, by 2022 after it reported a 62.1 per cent fall in pre-tax profit to £66.8million in the year to March 31, 2018.

Mothercare - The baby and maternity products chain issued a profits warning after like-for-like sales fell by 7.2 per cent during the 12 weeks to December 30, 2017. Mothercare has now decided to move out of Drake Circus mall, but will relocate to a unit more than double the size at the under-construction Plymouth Gateway Retail Park at Marsh Mills. The retailer is looking to shut anything up to more than 50 stores and its March 2018 trading update revealed total UK sales were down 5.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to March 24, compared with the same period in 2017.

Carpetright - The troubled retailer has been floored by painful losses and is preparing to close even more stores – and said things will get worse after Brexit. For the 26 weeks to October 27, 2019, the group made a loss before tax of £11.7million. Underlying earnings swung to a loss of £1.7million compared with a profit of £8.6million for the same time in 2017. Carpetright also said it was braced for a damaging dip in consumer spending and confidence after Brexit. In March 2018 it shut three Devon stores, but kept the two in Plymouth open.

Maplin - Electrical goods retailer Maplin collapsed into administration in February 2018 putting jobs at risk. The company, which employed 2,500 people in the UK and had a large store in Plymouth’s Cornwall Street, said the capital needed to prop up the business – and shield it against tough trading conditions – had proved “impossible to raise”. The store had a huge closing down sale in April 2018 and finally shut in Plymouth in on June 11. All stores in the group are expected to be shut by July.

Poundworld - The budget retailer went into administration in June 2018 after revealing dismal sales figures, putting 5,100 jobs at risk. Private equity-owned Poundworld shut its huge Plymouth store in New George Street in July 2018 after staging a "closing down sale".

Laura Ashley - Womenswear and home furnishings retailer Laura Ashley is to close stores after seeing annual profits plummet to just £100,000. The group – which owns 160 stores across the UK including in Plymouth, Exeter, Barnstaple and Truro – saw statutory pre-tax profits fall from £6.3million a year earlier as retail like-for-like sales slid 0.4 per cent amid “difficult” trading conditions..

H&M - Fashion giant H&M has said it is braced for further sales falls across its stores in 2018, including its Plymouth outlet in Drake Circus Shopping Centre.

Poundstretcher - Credit insurers aretightening terms for suppliers to Poundstretcher, a move which is generally seen as an indicator of concerns a retailer is about to go bust. Poundstretcher, which has a huge outlet at Plymouth’s Friary Retail Park, in Exeter Street, saw a £3.4million profit turn into a £3.5million loss in 2017.

Moss Bros - The men’s outfitters made a £1.7million pre tax loss for first six months of 2018 – and blamed the World Cup

The company – which has stores in Plymouth, Exeter, Falmouth and Truro – has warned over profits after hot summer weather and the World Cup “distraction” pushed the menswear chain’s profits into the red. Earnings show the retailer swung to a pre-tax loss of £1.7million for the six months to July 28, having posted a profit of £3.9million in the same period last year. The retailer said it was knocked by £1.2million in store impairments, in light of a “small number of underperforming stores“, and took a further £800,000 hit amid “reorganisation and employee-related costs”.

Game Digital - Profits at Game, which has two stores in Plymouth city centre, nosedived by more than a quarter – amid a tough market for consoles – leaving the retailer looking to revive its fortunes through the fast-rising e-sports sector.

Homebase - There are fears Homebase stores throughout the South West could be dragged into a second wave of closures that could see up to 40 of the DIY outlets shut – putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The DIY chain, which has 21 outles in the West Country including Plymouth, is sounding out advisers for a potential Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA), having already closed 17 outlets.

Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Evans and Wallis - In May 2018 Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group reported profits dipped by 42 per cent from £215.2million to £124.1million and sales fell 5.6 per cent in the year to August 26, 2017, sliding from £2.01billion to £1.91billion.

Sports Direct - Bargain tracksuit and trainer retailer Sports Direct blamed an £85million hit from its stake in Debenhams for dragging full-year profits down 72.5 per cent. The chain, which has a huge outlet in New George Street, Plymouth, said pre-tax profits plunged to £77.5million in the year to April 29, 2018 – from £281.6million a year earlier.

McColl's - Convenience store operator McColl’s has seen pre-tax profits nearly halve to £2.3 million in just six months during one of the “most challenging” period in the chain’s history. The firm, which has more than 10 outlets in the Plymouth area, saw its surplus drop from £4.5 million during the same period last year. The company blamed the decline, for the 26 weeks to May 27, 2018, in part on the collapse of wholesaler Palmer & Harvey, which disrupted its supply chain. It also impacted McColl’s like-for-like sales which fell 2.7 per cent in the first half of the year.

Saltrock Surfwear - The Plymouth and Exeter branches of the fashion chain were among five that closed, with 29 staff losing their jobs, after the firm went into administration and was instantly taken over by the national Crew Clothing Co Group. Saltrock was started in the 1980s but taken over by Plymouth Argyle's departing chairman James Brent's company in 2012.

Footasylum - Streetwear store Footasylum swung to a £2.5million half-year loss bemoaning a challenging trading environment.The premium sports chain, which opened in the mid-tier at Drake Circus Shopping Centre in 2016, has posted a pre-tax loss of £2.5million in the 26 weeks to August 25, 2018, compared with a £1.7million profit in the same period in 2017.

Paperchase - Stationery chain Paperchase suffered a mammoth fall in profits and had its credit insurance cover slashed in September 2018. The company, which has a flagship store in Plymouth’s Drake Circus Shopping Centre, is coming under mounting pressure after one of its main credit insurers reduced cover following the slump in profits. In March 2019 it entered a CVA and said it would close stores.

Superdry - Fashion chain Superdry has estimated profits will take a £10million hit and is blaming the weather – again.

The chain – which has outlets in Exeter, Truro, Newquay, St Ives and Plymouth’s Drake Circus Shopping Centre – issued a profit warning after it said “unseasonably hot weather” had impacted its autumn and winter sales. Earlier in 2018 it complained the Beast from the East snowstorm had hit sales.

American Golf - The Plymouth and Exeter branches of huge sports retailer American Golf will stay open after a late rescue package saved the company – though the troubled firm is shutting outlets across the country. Customer orders and gift cards are also protected after Europe's largest golf retailer was rescued from collapse in a deal which safeguards 900 jobs and will keep open the store at Plymouth Golf Centre, Elburton, and Exeter’s at Bishops Court Retail Park in Sidmouth Road.

Bonmarché - The budget women’s fashion chain saw profits tank dramatically. The company – which has branches across the South West including Plymouth's New George Street – watched at profits were nearly cut in half in the first six months of 2018 as weak consumer sentiment and lower footfall stung the struggling retailer.

B&Q - DIY giant B&Q is facing woe after seeing sales tank. The company’s owner, Kingfisher, warned there was "no quick fix" to its problems as it posted a slump in sales at the DIY chain in November 2018, and said it will exit its business in Russia, Spain and Portugal to focus on its core markets. New figures show B&Q in the UK saw a 2.9 per cent fall in like-for-like sales in the three months to October 31, 2018.

HMV - Music and movies retailer HMV went into administration for the second time in just six years in December 2018 putting 2,200 jobs at risk. Although it was later brought out of administration by Canadian music store mogul Doug Putman, it still shut 27 branches including in Plymouth and Exeter. HMV had blamed a huge slump in the UK’s CD and DVD market for making its situation "unsustainable". It blamed a “tsunami of challenges” facing the UK retail sector, and changing behaviour from customers. Plymouth's store reopened on February 23, 2019.

Office Outlet - The stationery chain went into administration in March 2019 and started closing stores. Plymouth's huge outlet near the Charles Church roundabout was on the list for the first closures. It had hoped to move into a smaller unit in the city centre but ended up being put on a cull list with its last day being April 7, 2019.

Boots - In June 2019 drugs and cosmetics chain Boots confirmed it will close 200 stores, primarily local pharmacies - of which there are dozens in the South West.

The retail chain said its owner, US-based Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), has now approved a plan which will see primarily local pharmacy branches shut down in locations where there are other stores nearby.

Ann Summers - Lingerie and sex toy emporium Ann Summershired special property troubleshooters in April 2019 to try and cut its rent bills after the company swung to a £3.16million loss and blamed Brexit.

The chain - which has a large outlet in Plymouth’s New George Street and also in Truro, Exeter and Torquay- wants talks with landlords as it becomes the latest retail brand hit by problems on the high street. Ann Summers, home of the Rampant Rabbit and something called “ticklers”, blamed Brexit for causing the value of sterling to dip and thereby causing profits to fall. The firm is also facing stiff competition, no pun intended, from online rivals.

Thomas Cook - Troubled holiday giant Thomas Cook said in mid 2019 it was considering closing more outlets after slumping to a £1.5billion half-year loss and blaming Brexit uncertainty for making Britons delay their summer holiday plans. The cash-strapped group's pre-tax losses widened from £303million a year earlier and the firm warned "challenging" trading over the peak summer season was set to put the full-year result under pressure. Thomas Cook is planning further cost savings in the second half of 2019 to offset tougher trading and higher fuel expenses, following its decision in March 2019 to shut 21 stores and axe more than 300 jobs.

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